Emeka Morris Ogbowu (born May 15, 1993, better known as Asuquomo, is a
Nigerian
Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...
-
Canadian
Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...
visual artist and musician based in Ottawa. In 2020, he won the RBC x Ottawa Arts Council's Emerging Artist of the Year Award . As a performer, he has opened for international artists such as
Burna Boy
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (born 2 July 1991), known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut studio album, ''L.I. ...
,
WizKid
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. A prominent figure in the modern-day Afrobeats music scene, Wizkid is regarded as one of the biggest and most influential Afri ...
, and
Lido Pimienta
Lido Pimienta (born 1986) is a Colombian Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. She rose to prominence after her 2016 album, '' La Papessa'', won the 2017 Polaris Music Prize. He is a graduate of
Algonquin College
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is a publicly funded English-language college located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The college serves the National Capital Region and the outlying areas of Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, and Upst ...
, with a certificate in professional illustration and concept art from Algonquin's school of media and design.
Career
Asuquomo is known for both visual and auditory storytelling; his works have been described as having a
Pan-African
Pan-Africanism is a worldwide movement that aims to encourage and strengthen bonds of solidarity between all Indigenous and diaspora peoples of African ancestry. Based on a common goal dating back to the Atlantic slave trade, the movement ext ...
narrative as
Afro-Fusion
Afrobeats (not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing), or Afro-pop or Afro-fusion (or Afropop or Afrofusion), is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and ...
influences. He has been an opening act for Wizkid and Grammy-nominated Burna Boy, as well as
Mdou Moctar
Mahamadou Souleymane (born c. 16 August 1984 or 1986), known professionally as Mdou Moctar (also M.dou Mouktar), is a Tuareg songwriter and musician based in Agadez, Niger, who performs modern rock music inspired by Tuareg guitar music. His musi ...
,
Shay Lia Shanice Dileita Mohamed (born 1993), known as Shay Lia, is a French-Djiboutian musician based in Montreal, Quebec.
,
Zaki Ibrahim
Zaki Ibrahim is a South African-Canadian singer-songwriter. Her music blends R&B, soul and jazz.Jazz Cartier
Jahmarie Wishart Adams (born March 19, 1993), known professionally as Jazz Cartier, is a Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his mixtapes, ''Marauding in Paradise'' and ''Hotel Paranoia''.
He has twice been a long lis ...
,
Lido Pimienta
Lido Pimienta (born 1986) is a Colombian Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. She rose to prominence after her 2016 album, '' La Papessa'', won the 2017 Polaris Music Prize.Cadence Weapon
Roland "Rollie" Pemberton, better known by his stage name Cadence Weapon, is a Canadian-American rapper based in Toronto, Ontario. Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Pemberton released his first album, '' Breaking Kayfabe'', in 2005 with posit ...
BROCKHAMPTON Brockhampton may refer to:
*Brockhampton (band), an American self-described "boy band" and music collective
*Brockhampton, Gloucestershire, Cotswold, England
* Brockhampton, Tewkesbury, a location
In geography, location or place are used to deno ...
, Keynes Woods, and Kodie Shane. He has played festivals including Marvest CityFolk, Ottawa RBC Bluesfest and Arboretum Festival.
In 2018, he released the mixtape ''This That Mo''.
In June 2020, Asuquomo released his EP, ''Diobu'', which received support from the
Ontario Arts Council
The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is a publicly-funded Canadian organization in the province of Ontario whose purpose is to foster the creation and production of art for the benefit of all Ontarians. Based in Toronto, OAC was founded in 1963 by O ...
. He had begun working on the EP in 2018, during an
artist residency
Artist-in-residence, or artist residencies, encompass a wide spectrum of artistic programs which involve a collaboration between artists and hosting organisations, institutions, or communities. They are programs which provide artists with space a ...
at the
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, formerly known as The Banff Centre (and previously The Banff Centre for Continuing Education), located in Banff, Alberta, was established in 1933 as the Banff School of Drama. It was granted full autonomy as ...
. The album was well received by critics. ''
Pitchfork
A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves.
The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to ...
'' described it as a project which " xploringthemes of family, home, and the immigrant experience in his adopted city." The EP was featured on '' Exclaim!s "Best EP's of 2020", CBC’s ''All in a Day'', and ''HotNewHipHop.''
In September 2020, he released the music video for "Don't Be Scared." Following the release, ''American Songwriter Magazine'' described the visuals as "piercing, personal, intriguing and entrancing."
Discography
Albums
* ''Diobu'' (2020) - EP
* ''OT Riddim'' (2020) - EP
* ''This That Mo'' (2018) - Mixtape
Singles
* “Yahweh” (2020)
* “Wide Awake” (2020)
* “Northside” (2019)